Mark Zip Poop 2015

Buy New or Used via AmazonRent via iTunes [?]Kamasi Washington – The Epic
Came to this for the Low End Theory club connection, stayed for the jams. Yes, it’s probably too long. But so was Sandinista. And even the wanky bits are pretty damn funky. Was lucky enough to catch him live at Bearsville in August (thanks Will!), great show. Warm, funny, giving. What would a live show with the choir sound like?

Buy New or Used via AmazonRent via iTunes [?]Jamie XX – In Colour
There are many Rubicons in life. The first time you notice that the policeman is younger than you. The time that a record you remember playing the day it came out is released in a special expanded Rhino historical reissue. The time an interesting “younger” artist makes a record with 90’s rave nostalgia. This is that Rubicon, happily crossed.

Buy New or Used via AmazonRent via iTunes [?]Courtney Barnett – Sometime I Sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit
Came to this one very late in the year. Very (thanks Mike!). But I’ve enjoyed it every day since. The clever lyrics, the off-handed singing, the feeling of genuineness. It’ll probably make me smile a year from now, if I listen to it then. But for today. it’s wonderful. Her Tiny desk concert for NPR is a great place to start.

Buy New or Used via AmazonRent via iTunes [?]Mbongwana Star – From Kinshasa
What I like most about this one is that they’ve chosen to make a modern studio recording. It’s not like most documents of “other peoples’ music”, where the band is recorded in as natural (or rustic) a setting as possible. Here they make odd noises that only come from a studio. And it’s better for it.

Buy New or Used via AmazonRent via iTunes [?]Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott – Wisdom, Laughter And Lines
The Housemartins and The Beautiful South were always reliable and we miss them. So I was annoyed earlier this year when I noted that I had missed a 2014 collaboration between the South’s two lead singers. Then they released a second LP later on in 2015. Paul Heaton is likely the most unjustly overlooked songwriter of his generation. These songs are sharp, funny, sardonic, biting and alive.

Buy New or Used via AmazonRent via iTunes [?]Jlin – Dark Energy
Planet Mu continues decade long investigation of footwork. Is it footwork? Well, yes. But not just that. Much, much more. Best headphone record of the year.

… and should have liked to spend a better time with:

New Order – Music Complete – A real return, even if Hooky isn’t here. Bu needed some serious editing.Chemical Brothers – Born in the Echoes – Some killers, too many fillers.Disclosure – Caracal – collaborations all over the place. And loses focus for it.Major Lazer – Peace is the Mission – uneven, but the guests make itBelle and Sebastian – Girls In Peacetime Want to Dance